NASCAR fans torn on having no stage breaks on road courses after 'boring' Sonoma race
This season NASCAR has done away with stage breaks on road courses and through two races, it has fans torn. COTA seemed to be an abject success when it came to removing the cautions between stages. However, a track that has a knack for stringing out the field like Sonoma has some fans wondering if the breaks are actually needed.
Over the years, Sonoma Raceway has put on some good races. But why are they “good” to begin with? Is it because of close racing for the lead at all times? Or is it based on who wins the race? The first stage was won by pole-sitter Denny Hamlin. Kyle Busch took Stage 2. Martin Truex Jr. grabbed the checkered flag.
So, why the complaints? Well, when Truex Jr. grabbed the lead, he took off with it. When MTJ gets to the front, he tends to stink up races with dominating performances.
This fan didn’t seem to care for the race on Sunday.
There were times when the field got spread out and the leaders would just take off. However, there was some battling further down the field. From an entertainment perspective, it helps to have battles for the lead. With Truex Jr. leading 51 of 110 laps, I guess it wasn’t enough for some fans.
Thankfully, NASCAR driver Josh Bilicki was able to get a poll up. While it is very early on and he’s got it up for 20+ more hours, it is very telling. Already almost 80% of fans that responded say “No stage breaks.”
Seems like the “boring” crowd is in the minority, although a somewhat loud minority.
Bilicki made his own headlines last night after getting spun out by Ty Dillon.
NASCAR stage breaks, yes or no?
Here is what I’ll say about the NASCAR stage breaks – let’s just pump the brakes a bit. This is just the second example we have gotten with continuous racing. So, why not give it more of a chance? There was such excitement after the COTA race. This might just be more about Sonoma than anything else, folks.
Even last season, Daniel Suárez was able to get the lead and put it away. Chris Buescher tried to track him down, much like Kyle Busch tracked Truex Jr. However, the leader out front had just enough cushion to keep the lead. With five laps to go, it was clear that Suárez was going to be the winner.
This could make a few people upset as well – not every race has to have a superspeedway-type finish where the winner grabs the lead on the last lap and it’s a dash to the line. There doesn’t need to be spins and wrecks that put the leader in a tough position. Keep the stage breaks gone.
Sometimes, a “good” race can be boring. Martin Truex Jr. was strong. He had the fastest car and executed really well. His team’s tire strategy was right on point. When you see a great individual performance, appreciate it. No one gets mad when LeBron goes for 50 in a game, don’t be mad when a driver dominates a race.